10 Designers To Have On Your Radar At London Fashion Week
By
1 month ago
London Fashion Week kicks off its AW26 season this month, with a schedule packed with some of the best designers from Britain and beyond
Noticed London looking a little more stylish than usual? You’ll have London Fashion Week (and its schedule of famous designers) to thank for that. But who should we be keeping tabs on this season? These are the haute names to know.
A Guide To London Fashion Week
How Are Designers Picked For LFW?
Those who make it onto the LFW schedule are selected by the British Fashion Council. With limited slots on offer, all designers are invited to apply each season regardless of whether they have had a show before. Once the applications window closes, an industry panel selects successful applicants for the upcoming season.
The eligibility criteria includes the following:
- Applicants should be over one year in business
- Collections should consist of ready-to-wear or accessories, not bridalwear or childrenswear
- Applications are reviewed by an industry panel
- Schedule activations are subject to a listing fee
- Digital schedule requires an element of moving content, a lookbook/imagery will not suffice (digital only)
- Digital schedule activations are subject to a listing fee (digital only)
Please note that applications for London Fashion Week AW26 are now closed. You can find out more information about applications at britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
How Many Shows Are There?
This season, there are around 70 in-person catwalk shows, presentations and events set to take place during London Fashion Week.
When Is London Fashion Week AW26?
London Fashion Week AW26 takes place between Thursday 19 and Monday 23 February 2026.
The Designers To Watch At London Fashion Week AW26
Paul Costelloe
Plenty of eyes will be on Paul Costelloe’s runway this season, as the late designer’s final collection makes its debut. The Irish-American designer, who sadly passed away in November, spent over 45 years building up his label – working as the personal designer to Diana, the Princess of Wales, before claiming a regular spot on the London Fashion Week schedule. His collections were big on romance, sophistication and craftsmanship, and we expect this to still be the case for his last show.
Bora Aksu
Bora Aksu knows how to tell a story with his collections. A public favourite since his Central Saint Martins graduate show in 2002, the designer creates whimsically romantic designs that are hyper-feminine and gloriously colourful. Think dainty lace, bejewelled collars, flowing skirts and a sugary colour palette. Speaking on his experience at London Fashion Week, the designer told C&TH: ‘For me shows are always an emotional journey. I am an incurable romantic and my aim as a designer is to seek and define beauty in my own terms. Preparing for shows always involves such hard work but the end is very rewarding.’
Emilia Wickstead
If vintage-facing elegance is more your speed, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Emilia Wickstead. The brand, which was set up in 2008, started out as a made-to-measure atelier but quickly grew to encompass RTW, bridal and bespoke. In terms of visuals, Emilia Wickstead is perhaps best known for its craftsmanship, bold colours and elegant designs. Collections from Emilia Wickstead instantly deliver a shot of nostalgia – outfits that fit just as easily in a Golden Age Hollywood movie as they do on the streets of London.
Daniel Fletcher for MITHRIDATE
Daniel Fletcher has found his stride at MITHRIDATE. The London-based designer, who began his tenure at the Chinese label just last year, has been weaving his quirky British signatures – rugby stripes, sequin-strewn party dresses and unisex silhouettes – into the brand’s high-qulaity tailoring and craftsmanship. ‘Where my first collection was about establishing the new DNA of MITHRIDATE – built around staples of the British wardrobe – the second let me build and play on this foundation while telling more of a story,’ the designer told C&TH. Last season’s story? ‘I was looking at the 1980s and imagining this story between town and country. I loved this idea that this group of revellers start their day in the countryside, and then they go into London and end up on the King’s Road, and it becomes more hedonistic and darker.’ Expect plenty more revelry for AW26.
ERDEM
British designer Erdem Moralioglu MBE is once again set to take the runway by storm at London Fashion Week. A must-watch for the storytelling alone, each collection begins with a meticulously researched narrative – usually with a focus on sharing the untold stories of women, real and fictional – and unfolds into a collection of intensely romantic pieces. Our top tip? Hone in on the details. ERDEM is renowned for making big impact with the smallest of design choices – an emobroidered emblem here, a lace trim there – making each garment a multi-layered work of art.
Simone Rocha
Puffed sleeves, romantic silhouettes and ultra-feminine detailing? Sounds like Simone Rocha. The Irish designer has been showing her collections as part of London Fashion Week since 2010, and continues to impress with collections comprised of wearable art. Past seasons have seen the designer dress up models in bouquets of flowers, rhinestone-encursted Crocs, layered tutus and pillows-turned-clutch bags. Expect dreamy visuals, playful accessories and plenty of whimsy.
Richard Quinn
One of the most exciting designers on London’s fashion scene is Richard Quinn. The designer, who is based in the city, set up his label in 2017 (having spent several years prior developing his skills at Christian Dior and Savile Row) and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design in 2018. No one does a show quite like Richard Quinn – especially when it comes to theatrics. Think orchestral live music, ornately decorated backdrops and story-driven settings (SS26, for example, treated showgoers to an evening at the opera), settting the scene for bold eveningwear collections decked out in sumptuous fabrics, elaborate prints and refined silhouettes.
Edeline Lee
Creating collections with the Future Lady in mind, Canadian-British designer Edeline Lee is known for her sophisticated visual style and collaborations with luminaries within the art, theatre, academic and film industries. When it comes to Fashion Week, Edeline Lee goes all out – with presentations entialing immersive experiences that tumble out onto the streets of London, and shows that bring theatre to the runway.
Patrick McDowell
Another recent recipient of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, London-based designer Patrick McDowell has built his brand on the tenets of circular luxury and sustainable design – creating garments that are made to last (with repair and redesign services available, just in case). Drawing on his Liverpool roots, the designer tends to dabble in playful creativity, juxtaposing hyper masculinity and glamour.
Daniel Lee for Burberry
Is it really London Fashion Week without Burberry? The heritage label is a regular at LFW, having first secured its headline slot back in 2009. Britishness will no doubt take centre stage, with a presentation of refined tailoring, streamlined silhouettes and contemporary finishes. Chief Creative Office Daniel Lee is no stranger to having a bit of drama at his shows; AW25 saw a slew of celebrities take the runway, including Naomi Campbell, Jason Isaacs and Jessica Madsen, while the label’s SS26 festival-inspired offering saw attendees be interviewed by national treasure Jennifer Saunders. This season, we can expect to see Lee play on those Burberry tenets, and bring some playful eccentricities into the mix.
How To Watch London Fashion Week AW26
While the shows themselves are invite-only events, you can usually catch them streamed online via each brand’s social media channels.
More London Fashion Week Designers
You can see the full lineup for London Fashion Week AW26 via londonfashionweek.co.uk
